Poirot noted the likeness between brother and sister as Raymond Boynton came into the room.
His face was stern and set. He did not seem nervous or afraid. He dropped into a chair, stared hard at Poirot, and said: ‘Well?’
Poirot said gently: ‘Your sister has spoken with you?’
Raymond nodded. ‘Yes, when she told me to come here. Of course I realize that your suspicions are quite justified. If our conversation was overheard that night, the fact that my stepmother died rather suddenly certainly would seem suspicious! I can only assure you that the conversation was—the madness of an evening! We were, at the time, under an intolerable strain. This fantastic plan of killing my stepmother did—oh, how shall I put it?—it let off steam somehow!’
Hercule Poirot bent his head slowly.
‘That,’ he said, ‘is possible.’
‘In the morning, of course, it all seemed—rather absurd! I swear to you, M. Poirot, that I never thought of the matter again!’
Poirot did not answer.
Raymond said quickly:
‘Oh, yes, I know that that is easy enough to say. I cannot expect you to believe me on my bare word. But consider the facts. I spoke to my mother just a little before six o’clock. She was certainly alive and well then. I went to my tent, had a wash and joined the others in the marquee. From that time onwards neither Carol nor I moved from the place. We were in full sight of everyone. You must see, M. Poirot, that my mother’s death was natural—a case of heart failure—it couldn’t be anything else! There were servants about, a lot of coming and going. Any other idea is absurd.’
Poirot said quietly: ‘Do you know, Mr Boynton, that Miss King is of the opinion that when she examined the body—at six-thirty—death had occurred at least an hour and a half and probably two hours earlier?’
Raymond stared at him. He looked dumbfounded.
‘Sarah said that?’ he gasped.
Poirot nodded. ‘What have you to say now?’
‘But—it’s impossible!’
‘That is Miss King’s testimony. Now you come and tell me that your mother was alive and well only forty minutes before Miss King examined the body.’
Raymond said: ‘But she was!’
‘Be careful, Mr Boynton.’
‘Sarah must be mistaken! There must be some factor she didn’t take into account. Refraction off the rock—something. I can assure you, M. Poirot, that my mother was alive at just before six and that I spoke to her.’
Poirot’s face showed nothing.
Raymond leant forward earnestly.
‘M. Poirot, I know how it must seem to you, but look at the thing fairly. You are a biased person. You are bound to be by the nature of things. You live in an atmosphere of crime. Every sudden death must seem to you a possible crime! Can’t you realize that your sense of proportion is not to be relied upon? People die every day—especially people with weak hearts—and there is nothing in the least sinister about such deaths.’
Poirot sighed. ‘So you would teach me my business, is that it?’
‘No, of course not. But I do think that you are prejudiced—because of that unfortunate conversation. There is nothing really about my mother’s death to awaken suspicion except that unlucky hysterical conversation between Carol and myself.’
Poirot shook his head. ‘You are in error,’ he said. ‘There is something else. There is the poison taken from Dr Gerard’s medicine chest.’
‘Poison?’ Ray stared at him. ‘Poison?’ He pushed his chair back a little. He looked completely stupefied. ‘Is that what you suspect?’
Poirot gave him a minute or two. Then he said quietly, almost indifferently: ‘Your plan was different—eh?’
‘Oh, yes.’ Raymond answered mechanically. ‘That’s why—this changes everything…I—I can’t think clearly.’
‘What was your plan?’
‘Our plan? It was—’
Raymond stopped abruptly. His eyes became alert, suddenly watchful.
‘I don’t think,’ he said, ‘that I’ll say any more.’
‘As you please,’ said Poirot.
He watched the young man out of the room.
He drew his pad towards him and in small, neat characters made a final entry. R.B. 5.55?
Then, taking a large sheet of paper, he proceeded to write. His task completed, he sat back with his head on one side contemplating the result. It ran as follows:
Boyntons and Jefferson Cope leave the camp 3.5 (approx.)
Dr Gerard and Sarah King leave the camp 3.15 (approx.)
Lady Westholme and Miss Pierce leave the camp 4.15
Dr Gerard returns to camp 4.20 (approx.)
Lennox Boynton returns to camp 4.35
Nadine Boynton returns to camp and talks to Mrs Boynton 4.40
Nadine Boynton leaves her mother-in-law and goes to marquee 4.50 (approx.)
Carol Boynton returns to camp 5.10
Lady Westholme, Miss Pierce and Mr Jefferson Cope
return to camp 5.40
Raymond Boynton returns to camp 5.50
Sarah King returns to camp 6.0
Body discovered 6.30
[Appointment with Death -Agatha Christie] Part 2. Chapter 9